Alprazolam Abuse Symptoms, Signs and Addiction Treatment

Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine that is often used to treat anxiety and panic disorders. Though it can be very beneficial to some users, others may find that it causes uncomfortable or serious side effects. The abuse of alprazolam is also a concern, especially because the drug can be habit-forming which may lead to addiction. A person should know all the facts before he or she begins to take alprazolam.

Understanding Alprazolam

Abuse of alprazolam can lead to health problems, addiction and more.

Alprazolam is usually prescribed to patients with anxiety problems or disorders. These patients are in need of a medication like alprazolam which, according to the NLM, "works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain." Someone who may be prescribed alprazolam would have these symptoms:

Panic attacks- "sudden unexpected attacks of extreme fear"

Worry about the threat of panic attacks

Extreme anxiety in certain situations

An inability to be soothed when focused on the possibility of an issue that causes worry or fear

Alprazolam can also be prescribed to treat a number of other psychological disorders, such as:

Agoraphobia

Premenstrual syndrome

Depression

There are several brand name drugs that contain alprazolam, including:

Xanax

Xanax XR (extended release)

Niravam

Alprazolam Intensol

Xanax and Xanax XR are very popular medications. According to SAMHSA, alprazolam was "the 13th most commonly sold medication in 2012 and was the psychiatric medication most commonly prescribed in 2011." Because alprazolam is popular and available through many types of prescription medications, people often believe that it is a strictly safe medicine. All medications do have their side effects and risks, though, and alprazolam is no exception.

Signs and Symptoms of Alprazolam Use

Like most benzodiazepines, alprazolam will make a person drowsy and calm. Its purpose is to decrease the amount of excitement in the brain, so it does have sedating effects. Because of this, someone who is currently using alprazolam will be:

Very calm

Drowsy

Tired

Euphoric (in cases of higher doses)

Sluggish

Alprazolam also has its side effects which many users might not know about. The NLM lists some of the more common side effects, including:

Light-headedness

Irritability

Nausea

Dry mouth

More prominent talkativeness

Difficulty concentrating

Constipation

"Weight changes"

Problems with urination

Pain in joints

Dizziness

Headache

"Increased salivation"

"Changes in sex drive or ability"

There are other side effects of alprazolam that may be indicative of a worse condition. If you experience any of these side effects, call your doctor immediately, as you may need to discontinue your use of the drug. They are:

"Problems with coordination or balance"

Strange changes in mood or behavior

Confusion

Problems with memory

Speech problems or slurring speech

Jaundice (yellowing) of eyes and skin

Severe rash

Suicidal thoughts

Violent thoughts about harming yourself or other people

Depression

Hallucinations (either visual or auditory)

Shortness of breath

Seizures

Because of the intensity of the conditions these symptoms may be signs of, a person experiencing them should not hesitate to be treated immediately. Even normal doses of alprazolam can have bad reactions with users, so make sure you understand the risks associated with alprazolam use.

Risks of Alprazolam Use

There are some risks associated with alprazolam use. According to the FDA, they are:

Suicide - There is a risk of suicide or suicidal thoughts when taking alprazolam, especially if the patient already struggles with these thoughts and feelings. If the patient has a history of suicide in his or her family or has attempted suicide in the past, the patient's doctor should be told and another medication might be chosen. This risk is, however, common "with other psychotropic medications."

Mania - "Episodes of hypomania and mania have been reported in association with the use of Xanax in patients with depression." Patients should monitor their emotions and actions when using the drug, and doctors should be informed of the possible risk that may be involved with this.

Uricosuric Effect - Although alprazolam "has a weak uricosuric effect" meaning that it it does not increase the excretion of uric acid when a person urinates, Xanax does not have a history of causing acute renal failure as compared with other medications with this effect. However, it is important to be aware of the possibility.

Prescriptions for Older Patients - When alprazolam has been prescribed to older patients, there have been instances of ataxia (lack of muscle movement coordination) and oversedation. It is recommended, therefore, that an elderly patient be prescribed "the smallest effective dose" in order to prevent this possibility.

It is also important to note that "benzodiazepines can potentially cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant women." The drug may cause "congenital abnormalities" to the fetus if it is taken by a woman in her first trimester. Make sure to discuss your use of alprazolam if you become pregnant or are thinking about becoming pregnant.

Alprazolam Abuse

Of course, anyone who abuses alprazolam is more likely to experience extreme health issues associated with the drug. As abuse of a prescription medicine is unsafe, it can lead to more problems for the abuser.

If you think someone you know may be abusing alprazolam, look for these signs of abuse:

The person is relaxed, drowsy, tired, or sluggish much of the time.

The person is taking more of the drug than is necessary, as he or she has built up a tolerance to it.

The person is using alprazolam for a reason other than the one which he or she was prescribed.

The person is using alprazolam without a prescription

The Person is Experiencing Withdrawal Symptoms Such As:

Seizures

Uncontrollable shaking of a body part

Headache

Irritability

"Change in sense of smell" (NLM)

Sensitivity to light and sound

Extreme sweating

Aggressiveness

Insomnia

Difficulty with concentration

Weight loss

Diarrhea

Vomiting

Most people who take alprazolam and other benzodiazepines do so in order to feel their euphoric effects. These effects are not the intended use for the drug, and sometimes, alprazolam abusers must take a high dosage in order to feel them. Tolerance can start to build up, causing the person to take more and more of the drug and become physically and psychologically dependent on it. This can also lead to addiction.

Alprazolam Addiction

The drug can be habit-forming which means that a person may begin to crave it over time, especially if he or she is abusing it in large quantities. People often abuse benzodiazepines to feel euphoric or high, and many times, they take them with other drugs. It is very popular to mix benzodiazepines like alprazolam and alcohol because the effects of both are enhanced. However, this can lead to serious consequences, such as overdose.

When someone overdoses on alprazolam and alcohol, he or she is in danger of respiratory depression, coma, and death. The signs of alprazolam overdose are:

Drowsiness

Loss of consciousness or coma

Confusion

Coordination problems

Concentration problems

If someone you know overdoses on alprazolam, especially if he or she has mixed the drug with alcohol, call 911 to have help come as soon as possible.

If you are concerned that you may be addicted to alprazolam, consider the following:

Addiction causes major problems in someone's life. If a person experiences problems with work, relationships, or legal issues because of drug use and is unwilling or unable to stop taking the drug, it is a strong sign of addiction.

Those who become addicted to alprazolam will crave the drug and feel as if they cannot function without it.

Addiction can cause a drop in life satisfaction, where the addicted individual may feel apathetic toward all other aspects of life which do not include drug use. He or she may not know how to have fun without taking alprazolam.

Because alprazolam is a prescription drug, some individuals may resort to illegal behavior in order to get more of it. This may include stealing or forging prescriptions, visiting several different doctors, or going somewhere unsafe in order to buy alprazolam. This is called drug-seeking behavior and the individual will not care that it is dangerous.

Prevalance of Alprazolam Abuse

The FDA states that "addiction-prone individuals should be under careful surveillance when receiving alprazolam." The real problem, though, is mostly those who take alprazolam for purely recreational reasons. This is an issue as "alprazolam also has been shown to be significantly more toxic than other benzodiazepines if more than the prescribed amount is taken" (SAMHSA).

According to a study from the NCBI, "most participants stated that addiction to alprazolam occurs as early as initial consumption." The southern youths interviewed in this study "stated that their friends felt it was normal to use alprazolam" and that this also made it harder to stop.

Some Facts Associated With Alprazolam Abuse Are:

"Between 2005 and 2011, the estimated number of ED visits involving nonmedical use of alprazolam among patients aged 25 to 34 increased threefold" (SAMHSA).

"Among alprazolam-related ED visits involving nonmedical use, 19 percent involved alprazolam only." All others involved the use of two or more drugs.

The FDA states that people who ordered Xanax and other medications like it "over the Internet received a product that contained haloperidol, a powerful anti-psychotic drug." This very dangerous and buying drugs over the Internet can often result in issues like this.

Alprazolam Abuse and Addiction Treatment

Alprazolam addiction must be treated with formal addiction treatment. For someone who has been struggling with alprazolam addiction, it will be very hard to stop taking the drug. Most of the time, patients who are addicted to benzodiazepines also have issues with other drug addictions. According to SAMHSA, "among the primary benzodiazepine admissions who reported multiple substances, the most commonly reported secondary substances were":

Opiates or opioids

Alcohol

Cocaine

Marijuana

Depending on the person, he or she may be abusing one, some, or all of these substances in addition to alprazolam. The first step of substance use treatment is most commonly medically-assisted detox.

Alprazolam Detox

Someone who is detoxing from alprazolam will not be taken off the medication completely at first, as that would result in severe withdrawal symptoms. A study by the NCBI states that "alprazolam should be titrated at a rate of 0.5 mg three times a day regardless of whether the patient is being tapered for low- or high-dose withdrawal." The patient will likely be tapered off his or her use of alprazolam; although withdrawal symptoms will still be experienced during this time, they will be much less severe.

Alprazolam Addiction Treatment Facilities

Choosing a treatment facility is very important for working through your addiction in the right way. Those who are looking for addiction recovery treatment facilities are asked to consider all of their needs before choosing one (NIDA). "Effective treatment attends to the multiple needs of the individual, not just his or her drug use."

Someone who should choose inpatient treatment would be an individual who:

Needs 24-hour care and a controlled environment in which to work on his or her addiction

Does not have a strong support system of friends and family at home

Suffers from multiple addictions aside from alprazolam or who has another type of mental disorder

A person who does not have these needs or is only addicted to alprazolam could consider an outpatient treatment program. He or she should have a strong support system as well.

Alprazolam treatment will utilize therapy in any kind of recovery facility. Behavioral therapy will help alprazolam users change the way they view their addictions and help them get on the path to recovery. Types of therapies appropriate for alprazolam treatment are:

Cognitive - Behavioral Therapy

Motivational Incentives

Family and Relationship Therapy

Group Therapy

Support groups are also highly beneficial as supplemental treatment either during or after formal treatment. Patients are able to meet other people who are struggling with addiction, and these support groups can be found all over the country.

Alprazolam has some serious side effects which, if the drug is being prescribed by your doctor, can be monitored and your dosage can be adjusted. However, if you are abusing alprazolam, remember that you are putting yourself in more danger of experiencing these side effects, as well as other issues like withdrawal and addiction. Make sure you know the effects and risks of taking alprazolam before you begin.